PROTESTERS have vowed to continue their battle against plans for a massive new waste plant proposed for a site near their homes.

People living in the conservation village of Eastham fear a massive influx of lorries passing near their homes to the pro-posed Biossence plant nearby, close to the Ellesmere Port border.

Biossence has said it wants to bring rubbish to the plant – which if approved would be built on the banks of the Mersey – by barge.

But villagers point out there is no guarantee of this.

The decision is to be made by Wirral Council’s planning committee on January 29, after being delayed several times.

Last month, the planners delayed their decision to allow members of Wirral’s planning committee to visit the proposed site.

It is due to be considered by the committee again, and has again been recommended for approval.

Anglo-German firm Biossence wants to build the integrated waste treatment and power generation plant in Hooton Park to process up to 400,000 tonnes of waste a year.

Around 75% of that would come from Liverpool.

In recent months, hundreds of residents living near North Road, Eastham, have contacted the council opposing the plans. A petition from 638 addresses in the area, plus 240 letters of objection have been lodged with the council.

Objectors have also included the Bromborough Society, Wirral Wildlife, Wirral Barn Owl Trust and Eastham Village Preservation Association.

They say the land it would be built on is on the border of Eastham conservation village and a greenfield site with trees up to 300 years old.

They also say wildlife needs protecting.

Eastham Village Preservation Association says it is concerned the company will be using the road network to bring waste in to the plant, and to carry by-products away.

Dr Ralph Trottnow, a director of Biossence, said the plant would use existing technologies brought together in a unique way in which the waste is “sanitised” and then “cooked” under pressure.

The company says no harmful chemicals are released into the atmosphere during the process and the bio-fuel which is created would power the facility as well as generate electricity.

As part of the process, the plant would use “autoclaving” – using heat and steam to sort waste into recyclable materials for biofuel for power generation.

This process also means people do not have to sort their waste themselves and so could mean households no longer need to have separate bins for different kinds of waste.

Those behind the rubbish treatment centre say it could even be used to help empty existing landfill sites.